Summary

  • Different countries have varying security regulations, requiring re-screening at some transit points.
  • Security standards must match; US Pre-Clearance helps avoid long lines for international travelers.
  • Security checks may depend on the type of flight, ticket, and destination, ensuring aviation safety.

Connecting flights are becoming increasingly common for travelers – in these cases, the common practice is to catch a feeder flight to an airline’s central hub before connecting to a more popular service. Millions of travelers each year transit through the world’s major airport hubs each year, and many can check in and pass through security at their point of departure but are not near clear customs or collect their baggage until they reach their final destination.

International travelers going through or via the United States on an international flight will be well accustomed to needing to pass through security before connecting to their next flight; this task can be pretty laborious and requires a lot of patience with long lines (San Francisco is renowned for it), which is why for many, the option of United States Pre-Clearance is a great option, however, for this article, we will understand why we must clear security at some transit points.

Dozens of passengers waiting in a long TSA Security line.

Photo: Jim Lambert I Shutterstock 

Different countries, different requirements

While we have mentioned the United States, the United Kingdom is similar, with those transiting via London Heathrow needing to be screened again before their connecting service. This is because anybody who wants to board a flight in the United Kingdom must meet UK government security standards, meaning even if you were screened in France, you will need to be screened again.

While this sounds like a pain, there is a method in each country’s madness. Quite simply, this is due to each country having different levels of security regulations and requirements, so to meet your arriving country’s standards, you may be required to be screened again. In exceptional circumstances, extra security measures may be put in place at various airports; this is common when there have been terrorism threats or significant events about to take place.

Shoes off? Drink bottle empty?

Again, this all depends on where you are connecting to. Some countries permit you to travel entirely with your drink bottle if you are connecting to a domestic flight. This is standard practice in New Zealand, where they do not limit your liquids when traveling on a domestic flight; however, if, for example, you had flown from Queenstown to Auckland and were continuing onto Vancouver, when you passed through your second set of screening in Auckland, the water will have to go.

Transiting domestically, again, will have different requirements to transit to an international flight, as many airports and countries will have different requirements for the type of travel you are about to embark on, not to mention if their terminals are not connected, you may be unable to remain ‘airside.’

An Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER landing at Auckland Airport.

Photo: Patrick Weis | Shutterstock

It’s more common than you think to have to pass through security more than once, with the likes of Dubai (DXB), Hong Kong (HKG), and Tokyo Narita (NRT) all requiring passengers and crew to pass through a second security check for transit passengers. However, you do not if you’re passing through Munich, Amsterdam Schiphol, or Oslo. As always, the aviation industry is controlled by government regulation of what is, in fact, an extremely complex industry. When there are bizarre obscurities in aviation operations or passenger experiences, government oversight is often to blame.

Matching security standards

Given the sensitive nature of airports, some countries require all passengers entering the country, even if they remain airside, to undergo screenings to their standards. This ensures that all arriving passengers comply with local laws and removes any potential risks, however small.

A render of a modern airport security checkpoint.

Photo: Port of Seattle

The United States is well known for its advanced requirements for passengers flying to the country. For connecting flights, passengers must undergo a second screening to ensure they are not carrying liquids over 100 mL or anything else prohibited under local law. This means a secure area must be created only for passengers flying to the US. Other countries are willing to rely on security checks at airports of origin instead. Since detailed security plans are exchanged when approving flights between any two airports, there is usually no high risk of things going amiss on one side of the trip.

Other factors at play

Another factor that often determines whether a passenger needs a security check is the type of ticket and carrier. Travelers on two separate tickets or self-transiting would likely need to check in again, leave the secure airside area, and go through screening again. Some airlines, primarily when the two flights are operated by different carriers in different terminals under codeshare or interline agreements, also require additional checks.

It’s important to note that security rules are never consistent and may change even by destination or point of origin. For example, sometimes connecting flights from small airports may require extra screening for those arriving from hub airports. Notably, this may even affect duty-free purchases since items bought in one country may not be allowed to be carried into the EU.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Photo: Santiparp Wattanaporn | Shutterstock

Airports and aviation authorities’ ultimate goal is to ensure the security of flights and to do so, a set of standards needs to be met. Therefore, most rules are based on whether the incoming flight satisfies the airport’s or the country’s security requirements.

When was the last time you had to pass through secondary screening on a connecting flight? Comment below your experience.

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